Chapter 9 - The Man Who Had Been My First Love Became My Cousin, and I Learned That Love Sometimes Means Letting Someone GoHealing took time.
Noah and I stayed close.
But different.
We weren't lovers.
We were family.
He became the person I called when I was afraid.
I became the person he trusted.
The foundation expanded.
We helped victims.
My mother worked with survivors.
The old Circle members faced trial.
Many cooperated.
Some went to prison.
The city changed.
Noah sold his family's criminal businesses.
He kept legitimate companies.
I rebuilt the tailor shop.
One evening, he came in.
“Need anything?”
“No.”
“Then why are you here?”
“I missed you.”
I smiled.
“I missed you too.”
He sat.
“Do you ever regret it?”
“What?”
“Everything.”
I thought.
“No.”
“Even us?”
I smiled sadly.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because you taught me what family means.”
He looked down.
“I wanted more.”
“I know.”
“So did I.”
Silence.
Then he laughed.
“But we're doing the right thing.”
“Yes.”
He stood.
“Goodnight, Lena.”
“Goodnight, Noah.”
He left.
I cried after he was gone.
Not because I wanted him back.
Because I was grateful.
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Sometimes love isn't about getting everything you want.
Sometimes love is knowing when something should remain impossible.
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